Nearer and nearer the boats approached the monster, the first officer's boat being a little ahead.
Now the stern boat ceased pulling, and the men laid on their oars.

Then the other slackened her speed, and began pulling with cautious and quiet stroke.

The lookout announced that the head boat had made the whale, and the men climbed the ship's rigging to witness the struggle.

They were doomed to temporary disappointment, however, for the whale, suddenly discovering his pursuers, made a vault and a plunge, tossed the sea into commotion, and disappeared.
"That's what comes of sendin' an amateur after an old whale," said the captain, thrusting his hands deep into his nether pockets, shrugging his shoulders, and pacing nervously up and down the deck.
A signal was now made from the ship directing the boats what course to keep, for experience had taught the old captain what course the whale would take, and where he would be most likely to appear again.

It was nearly half an hour before the monster lifted his huge, dripping sides above the surface again, but so near the first officer's boat that a harpoon was let go.